Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based approach that aims to improve mental health by helping the client challenge and change thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. CBT helps the client improve emotional self-regulation and develop personal coping strategies. The focus is usually the present. CBT is different from many other types of therapy in that it does not focus on the unconscious meanings of behaviors. CBT is problem-focused and action-oriented.
The therapist will help the client identify “cognitive distortions” such as overgeneralizing, magnifying negatives, minimizing positives and catastrophizing, and replace them with more realistic and rational thoughts, thereby decreasing emotional pain and maladaptive behaviors.
Quarternote Counseling therapists often weave CBT approaches into other treatment modalities, as appropriate for the client’s presenting issues.